Hello everyone,
What a great time for sport at the moment. With an abundance of England fans pulling on their football shirts ready to cheer on the Three Lions in the World Cup Semi-Finals, and Wimbledon drawing to a close for the year with the thrilling tennis on Centre Court (surely strawberries and cream season isn’t over that quickly?!) I feel we are being treated.

Even more so considering that, in our department, we’re well into the track and field
season, and a few of the Monkey Sox team will be heading to the London Athletics Meet this Saturday! We’ll be watching Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr go for greatness whilst they set out to break the world records in the women's 800m and the men's mile. Live coverage will be available on BBC if you’d like to watch! 

So… why running socks?
When I first started running, I remember my mum taking me to the local sports shop to find some running socks to wear with my fresh new trainers. Although buying socks is generally not considered very exciting for a 10-year-old, I was stoked! I got to run with extra padding, and no more blisters, instead of in cotton socks. It was the dream. I’ve never worn anything other than sport socks since.

Polyamide: best for performance sports
Here at Monkey Sox, we use a mix of polyamide and elastane to make our socks. Polyamide is more commonly known as nylon, and one of the biggest advantages of this material is its breathability. Think of the impact going through the foot every time a runner strides; if they are not wearing appropriate socks, the runner may experience repeated rubbing and tension, leading to blisters, calluses, and, in more extreme cases, stress injuries (if the foot is continually positioned unnaturally to minimise pain). It’s super important we look after our feet!

As well as being breathable, polyamide is durable, quick-drying and feels smoother and softer than many people expect from a synthetic fibre. Elastane is regularly used in performance socks to help stop them sliding down too.

Cotton: best for everyday wear
On the other hand, whilst many people believe they do not need specific sport socks and choose to wear cotton, this material absorbs sweat rather than wicking it away. Although the temptation to pick up a comfy cotton pair of socks from your drawer for your next run because it is convenient, don’t be fooled – cotton can become heavy with sweat and is therefore more likely to cause blistering. This likelihood is increased in hot weather or on longer runs. While it is great for everyday wear, it is generally not the best option for running.

Our favourites of the week:

What we have been reading:
Although tickets for the London Athletics meet have sold out in each of the past three years, debate has sparked within the athletics community on the high ticket pricing. Up until 2011, the London Diamond League was held at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, which housed a smaller stadium where fans could be close to the action. Over time, the stadium has become unusable, but reviving the Crystal Palace arena could potentially allow for cheaper ticket prices and reinstate the previous heart of English track and field competition in the county’s capital.
Have a read here.

Sock pick of the week:
Classic Eye Sports Socks: Purple + Orange

We hope this week is a positive one for you,
The Monkey Sox team.